Untitled Episode
879 Words
Daniel refused to leave the boardroom quietly.
Within an hour, he had summoned the company's legal team, demanding copies of every voting record and financial transaction connected to the emergency meeting.
Something didn't add up.
His uncle, Richard Carter, had always wanted more influence in the company, but staging a corporate takeover was a line Daniel never believed he would cross.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
---
Meanwhile, Amelia returned to her apartment, exhausted.
She switched off her phone and collapsed onto the couch.
Everything had changed in less than a month.
She had walked into Carter Holdings hoping for a better job.
Instead, she'd become the center of a conspiracy.
A knock at the door startled her.
It was Olivia.
"I saw the news," Olivia said, rushing inside. "They're saying Carter Holdings is under investigation, and they're practically blaming you online."
Amelia sighed.
"I know."
Olivia handed her a tablet.
Social media was flooded with headlines.
CEO's Assistant Suspected in Corporate Leak.
Carter Holdings Faces Internal Crisis.
Who Is Amelia Hart?
Some comments called her a gold digger.
Others accused her of manipulating Daniel.
Her hands trembled as she put the tablet down.
"I've never even wanted attention."
Olivia squeezed her hand.
"The people who matter will learn the truth."
Amelia wished she believed that.
---
Back at Carter Holdings, Daniel's private investigator arrived with new evidence.
"I reviewed the building's security system," the investigator said.
"The cameras didn't malfunction."
Daniel looked up.
"They were hacked."
"From inside the company."
He placed another folder on the desk.
"And someone authorized a temporary security override."
Daniel opened it.
The authorization came from a senior executive's account.
Richard Carter.
Daniel's expression darkened.
"So my uncle was involved."
"We believe so."
"But there's more."
The investigator slid a photograph across the table.
Daniel's heart skipped.
The picture showed Vanessa meeting secretly with Richard Carter in an underground parking garage two nights before the documents were leaked.
Neither of them had mentioned the meeting.
Neither of them knew they had been photographed.
Daniel finally had what he'd been searching for.
A motive.
---
That evening, Daniel drove to Amelia's apartment.
She opened the door before he could knock.
"You look terrible," she said.
"I've had better weeks."
He stepped inside and handed her the investigation file.
As she turned each page, her eyes widened.
"They planned everything."
Daniel nodded.
"You were never the target."
She looked at him.
"They wanted you."
"They wanted the company."
He sat beside her.
"My father built Carter Holdings from nothing."
"When he died, he left it to me because he believed I'd protect it."
Amelia spoke softly.
"And now?"
Daniel looked into her eyes.
"Now I realize I was protecting the company..."
He paused.
"...while forgetting to protect the people inside it."
The words hung between them.
Amelia reached for his hand.
This time, he didn't pull away.
For the first time since they met, neither of them felt alone.
---
Across town, Vanessa watched the city lights from her office.
Richard entered without knocking.
"You underestimated Daniel," he said.
Vanessa poured herself a drink.
"He'll recover."
Richard shook his head.
"No."
"He has evidence."
Her smile faded.
"What kind of evidence?"
"The kind that could destroy us."
Vanessa's fingers tightened around her glass.
"So what do we do?"
Richard's answer came without hesitation.
"We make sure the evidence disappears."
"And Daniel?"
Richard looked out the window.
"If he refuses to stop..."
"...he'll lose far more than his company."
Vanessa understood immediately.
For the first time, even she hesitated.
"This is becoming dangerous."
Richard's eyes were cold.
"It became dangerous the moment Daniel refused to obey."
---
The next morning, Daniel and Amelia drove to meet the company's external auditors.
Halfway there, Daniel noticed a black SUV following them.
"It has been behind us for ten minutes," Amelia whispered.
Daniel checked the mirror again.
"It isn't a coincidence."
The SUV suddenly accelerated.
Its engine roared as it pulled alongside them.
"What are they doing?" Amelia asked, panic rising in her voice.
Daniel's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"They're trying to force us off the road."
The SUV swerved toward them.
Daniel jerked the wheel just in time.
Tyres screamed against the wet road.
Cars honked.
A truck appeared ahead.
Daniel had only seconds to react.
"Hold on!" he shouted.
Amelia grabbed the dashboard as Daniel swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding the truck.
The SUV sped away, disappearing into the traffic before Daniel could read the licence plate.
Breathing heavily, Daniel pulled the car onto the roadside.
Silence filled the vehicle.
Amelia's hands were shaking.
Without thinking, Daniel reached across the center console and held them.
"You okay?"
She nodded, tears filling her eyes.
"I thought..."
Her voice broke.
"I thought we were going to die."
Daniel gently brushed a tear from her cheek.
"As long as I'm with you..."
"...I'll do everything I can to keep you safe."
Their eyes met.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
Slowly, Daniel leaned closer.
Amelia didn't move away.
Just as their lips were about to meet—
Daniel's phone rang.
The screen flashed a single name.
EVELYN.
He answered immediately.
Her voice was frantic.
"Mr. Carter..."
"...the police are here."
"They have a warrant for Miss Hart's arrest."
- Writer
